Hey all,
Ive got an L16 and was just wondering if the upgrade to the L20 is worth it?? Are there any mods required and will the grunt difference be noticable?? Im a bit young so cant afford insurance on an sr or anything yet, so in the meen time do you think i should give it a go?

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We have that datsun difference!
1971 Datsun 1600

if it's an NA street car, the L20 is a good choice. lots of useable torque offsets it's lack of ability to rev quickly and freely.

or you could keep the L16 block and bore it out 2.0mm (80thou) and fit L18 crank and rods and then turbo it ... my personal choice.

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frankenstein projects R us.

The Republic of Western Australia -
Propping up the Nation's Economy since 1901.

yeah it's worth it, providing you don't pay too much (as a guide, i sold my worked L18 (without carbs) for 500bux). you'll need to use a 1600 sump and oil pick-up tho. apart from that (i think) it's a bolt-in swap. probly only gain 10-15hp. but have heaps more torque.

personally, i like revving the t!ts off an L18

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1971 Datsun 1600 - Z18ET
1996 Suzuki RGV250 VJ22
1996 Suzuki RGV250 SP VJ23

Well how about the L18?
I believe the head in my L16 is gone, and i've heard it's just as easy to just throw in a whole new motor. Would the difference between the 2 engines be noticable?

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We have that datsun difference!
1971 Datsun 1600

will the difference be noticeable he asks...

hehehe seriously - yes. the difference will be very noticeable. add a cam and a pair of SUs and it will be more noticeable again!

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frankenstein projects R us.

The Republic of Western Australia -
Propping up the Nation's Economy since 1901.

You wont need a engineers for a L18, but will for a L20 (something to consider if you are going to do it properly).

I miss the times I had driving my 1600, L20B with twin 45's, it was the most grunty, loud induction car I have driven.

dunno how strict they are in other states, but in WA they still go by the RAC hp formula (which is based entirely on engine capacity, and yeah an L20b would exceed the allowable increase). my 1600 is now licensed with a z18et which _apparently_ makes the same hp as my old L18 - 16hp.

but since (late) 1600's did actually come from the factory (albeit not to oz) with L18's, it could be argued that an L20b is ok without an engineer's certificate. but try telling that to a cop who doesn't know his pie-hole from his a-hole.

p.s. anyone in perth have a copy of the WA transport regs? - specifically, do cars made before ADR's were introduced need to comply with _any_ rules. i.e. do you need a permit to put webers on a '71 1600.

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1971 Datsun 1600 - Z18ET
1996 Suzuki RGV250 VJ22
1996 Suzuki RGV250 SP VJ23

yeah go the l20 get a cam, A87 head, good exhaust, bluey 5 speed, then youll have some fun

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"Yes officer.. that shiny piping IS factory.."
Datsun 1600 - Z18T, R31 rear brakes, Commodore/Verada fronts, 4.11 locker, coilovers, more to come.
Mazda 929 - Only DOHC 5 speed ever, slammed on coilovers.
Mazda 121 - Daily

any car manufactured before july 72 needs nothing.
any car after that does need permits, as charcoal canisters were "invented" then.

the good ol' ADR27 was brought in 01/01/74 and the infamous ADR27A was 01/07/76.

i know where there is a copy of the blue bible. but if i told you who has it, i'd have to kill you.

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frankenstein projects R us.

The Republic of Western Australia -
Propping up the Nation's Economy since 1901.

make sure it's a close-chambered A87 head (i.e. peanut-shaped combustion chamber, 41cc). even better is the W53 (39cc), apparently off a stanza L16. these cc's probly mean squat after 30 years and a few shavings tho.
aaron, you don't have to tell me who has it, just take it to work and photocopy it. with 1300 posts, it's not like you do any work anyway

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1971 Datsun 1600 - Z18ET
1996 Suzuki RGV250 VJ22
1996 Suzuki RGV250 SP VJ23

work???

i'll see if he'll lend it to me.

if you kept the L16 block and overbored it with L18 internals, you wouldn't need any engineer's certificates at all, would you

i'm keen to try the W53 head on my next Lseries project.

_________________
frankenstein projects R us.

The Republic of Western Australia -
Propping up the Nation's Economy since 1901.